A new community forum will give residents in the Hibiscus and Bays local board area even more opportunities to engage with their local board.
The monthly forum is a new initiative by Hibiscus and Bays Local Board aimed at increasing the public’s understanding of the local board’s role, responsibilities and the rationale behind decisions it makes at business meetings.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chair Gary Brown says community forums are a new addition to the local board structure for this term.
“They are designed to improve communication and establish better connections with communities.
“It’s become very clear there needs to be more face-to-face channels for our community to talk with us. People want more access to the local board to better understand how we operate.”
Open to the public, the forums are not where decisions will be made, but where the community can hear discussions on particular projects and updates to the local board.
“The forum is the place for residents to raise issues and concerns and be listened to.
“My hope is that people take this opportunity to come and hear the exciting things happening in their communities,” says Gary.
How will the public forum work?
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The public forum is approximately 90 minutes long, but the duration will depend on the number of deputations and council staff updates
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Public participation is through deputations. Individuals or community groups can book deputations through the local board democracy adviser at least seven days prior to a forum. If no deputations are received, the forum will be cancelled
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Deputations should relate to matters that are within the jurisdiction and decision-making of the local board or where the local board can advocate on the wider responsibilities of Auckland Council. These are detailed in the local board agreement, annual budget and local board plan
- The public will also hear local board updates on projects and initiatives presented by council staff
- Forums take place on the first Thursday of every month alternating between the local board’s Browns Bay and Ōrewa offices excluding public holidays, when another date will be advised.
Community Forum Agenda – 5 December
The first community forum will place on Thursday, 5 December at 6pm at the local board office, 2 Glen Road in Browns Bay:
| TIME | Item/Deputation |
| 6pm - 6:30pm | Safeswim presentation |
| 6.40pm - 6.50pm | Whangaparāoa Family Services Group presentation |
| 6.50pm - 7pm | Metropark Sports Trust Pavilion update |
| 7pm - 7.10pm | Future Whangaparaoa update |
| 7.10pm - 7.20pm | Regional Facilities Auckland – 4th quarter report |
| 7.20pm - 7.30pm | Forest & Bird – Pest Fee Hibiscus Coast |
People wanting to book a deputation for the next forum on 5 February, should email the local board democracy adviser Gemma Kaldesic no later than seven days prior to the forum.
Business Meetings
The local board’s governance structure remains unchanged with all decisions made at the monthly meeting which is open to the public.
Meetings take place on the third Thursday of every month alternating between East Coast Bays and Hibiscus Coast subdivisions and at the local board’s Browns Bay and Ōrewa offices.
